1085001 | NEPAL. Shah Dynasty. Surendra Vikrama. (Shah, 1847-1881). SE1771 (1849) AV VIP Presentation 2 Tolas (Duitole Asarphi). PCGS SP65. Edge: Oblique milling. 32mm. 23.13gm. Sword with garland within circle, legend on either side of sword Śrī Śrī /Śrī Surendra/Vikrama Sā/ha Deva, outside circle triple zig-zag line, forming an eight-pointed star, date between three lower points / Small sword with garland within circle and legend Śrī 3/ Bhavā/nī, outside circle single zig-zag line, forming an eight-pointed star, legend within the star's points Śrī Śrī Śrī Gorakhanātha, ornaments between the points, edge obliquely milled. KM 619; RGV 937, type 1.

Exceedingly rare. Jung Bahadur was the prime minister and de facto ruler of Nepal from 1846 to 1877. Jung Bahadur maintained a cordial relationship with Great Britain and sent Gurkha soldier to aid British war efforts during the Second Anglo-Sikh War (1848-49) and the Great Rebellion (1857). He made an official visit to London and met with Queen Victoria at St. James Palace on June 19, 1850. He presented the queen with specially made gold coins, known as the duitola asarphi (duitola means two tolas), which were struck in the name of Surendra and each of his five predecessors. They are dated as follows: Prithvi Narayan, SE1693 (1771); Pratap Simha, SE1698 (1776); Rana Bahadur, SE1718 (1796); Girvan Yuddha, SE1721 (1799); Rajendra Vikrama, SE1762 (1840); Surendra Vikrama, SE1769 (1847). The original examples of these types are all preserved at the British Museum. The first four are certainly made well after their stated dates, as the tola wasn't standardized at 180 grains (11.65g) until 1833 by the British East India Company. In fact, the reverse die for the Prithvi Narayan example was also used for the duitola asarphi of Surendra dated SE1769 (1847), the first year that this denomination was actually struck for circulation. It is very likely Jung Bahadur ordered the production of all six coins specifically for his visit.

Ex Nicholas Rhodes Collection. Includes original collector's ticket.


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